Do I want to catch a Big Boy in June? Possibly …

We’re approaching our nation’s 250th anniversary. Well, technically, the 250th anniversary of the first signature upon the Declaration of Independence, but who’s splitting hairs on this?

As part of this major celebration, the Union Pacific Railroad is taking its fully restored 4014 locomotive “Big Boy” across the country, where it will arrive on July 4th in Philadelphia. Here’s a documentary on the train itself.

This thing is monstrous. And for it to travel east of the Mississippi is incredible.

Now that being said …

There’s a lot of chatter in the railfan universe that this train could pass through New York – specifically, Western and Southern Tier New York towns like Hornell and Corning and Buffalo and Binghamton.

And although there isn’t an exact timetable for the train’s passing, there are a few choice spots where this behemoth could appear – including crossing the Genesee Arch Bridge at Letchworth State Park.

So what are the options here?

Oh, there’s plenty.

According to John Kucko, in order for Union Pacific 4014 to travel from Buffalo to Binghamton on its route to Philadelphia, it has to take the Norfolk Southern’s “Southern Tier” line. That could give railfans an approximate route for strong, vibrant backdrops for train photography.

Letchworth State Park and the Genesee Arch Bridge would be a prime photography spot … but I’m sure every railfan in the Northeast will mob that spot. I speak from experience. Swap out “Union Pacific Big Boy train” for “total solar eclipse” and you know of which I speak.

Then again, there are several other options on the NS Southern Tier line, should I choose to chase the train toward Hornell or Corning, or even closer to Binghamton.

But it will take plenty of planning.

Already I’m thinking ahead. Nikon Df camera and several different lenses, along with the Pentacon Six TL and a loaded pack of black and white film. I may need to make a “road trip” to Letchworth State Park or to some other locales to find prime shooting spots. Maybe even a motel room for two nights, so that I’m not driving four hours into a mob scene.

Do I want the train itself? Do I want it with a background? Do I want the big, billowing bales of steam from its smokestack? Do I want this in profile? Do I want it head-on?

Yeah. This is a case of me trying to think of twenty-five different options. I also have to consider if I can take some time off from all my other projects to schlep out to Western New York to capture this treasure.

Right. I’ll chase the CPKC Holiday Train into Quebec, and that was a longer journey.

Let me think about this. Let me ponder upon the possibility.

In other words … I’m intrigued.

Let’s go from there.